Repair & Improve

Beat The Heat And Bust Those Energy Bills

New Jersey BPU offers energy-saving tips to stay cool and save money this summer

With summer officially underway, many people are already cranking up their air conditioners. While a cool home can be a welcome refuge from sultry temperatures, many homeowners pay a steep price for the comfort.

In fact, Americans spend as much as half their energy bills to cool their homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To help New Jersey homeowners beat the heat and save money this summer, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) offers the following energy-saving tips: 

Save with ENERGY STAR®
The EPA labels the most efficient central air conditioning systems with the ENERGY STAR. These systems use up to 25 percent less energy than a standard new model. However, if current cooling equipment is more than 10 years old, a new ENERGY STAR qualified model will use up to 40 percent less energy than the old model. 

Size Matters
With air conditioners, bigger isn't always better. An oversized unit will cycle on and off more frequently. Short cycling reduces an air conditioning system's life, and a short cycling system will not reduce humidity effectively. Undersized equipment can reduce the efficiency of air distribution and accelerate wear on system components, leading to premature failure. So what's the best way to properly size an air conditioning system?  Measuring the size of the house and the number and size of the windows, especially windows facing south and west, will help identify a system that can effectively deal with the heat that a home gains in the summer. Certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors can assist you with this assessment.

Maintain Cooling Systems Regularly
Properly maintained equipment prevents future problems and added expenses. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors who are trained cooling specialists can perform annual pre-season check-ups to ensure that a central air conditioning system is running as efficiently as possible. They will check thermostat settings, lubricate all moving parts, inspect the condensate drain, check system controls for safety, clean condenser coils, check refrigerant pressures, and clean and adjust blower components for proper system airflow. Contractors will also show homeowners how to inspect, clean, and change air filters monthly. A dirty filter causes higher energy costs and can damage equipment. Filters in room air conditioners should also be changed monthly.

Keep Air Conditioners in the Shade
Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but be careful not to block its airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.

Use the Air Conditioner Wisely
A home doesn't need to be chilled all day, day in and day out, to be comfortable in the summer. Save energy and money by using an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat. The thermostat allows homeowners to preset temperatures to automatically adjust to a more comfortable temperature when they are home. While away, homeowners can also block out heat by keeping blinds or curtains closed during the day.

Use Ceiling Fans
Using ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans can help cool your home without greatly increasing electricity use. Ceiling fans improve airflow and create pleasant breezes.

Test your home
Making energy efficient improvements can help shrink energy bills year round. With Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, any size or style home can be improved to reduce energy costs up to 30 percent. A Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor will perform a comprehensive home assessment to test the performance of any home with respect to energy efficiency, comfort, health and safety. The contractor will identify opportunities for improving a home's efficiency and provide the estimated cost of making the improvements. The program even offers low-interest financing to help pay for the recommended work.

For more information and a list of participating certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors call 1-800-418-9560 or visit www.mynjenergystar.com. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities through a Special Projects grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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